Understanding online p2p platforms

• Author: Pierre Hausemer - Julia Rzepecka - Marius Dragulin - Simone Vitiello - Lison Rabuel - Madalina Nunu - Adriana Rodriguez Diaz - Emma Psaila - Sara Fiorentini - Sara Gysen - Tim Meeusen - Simon Quaschning - Allison Dunne - Vadim Grinevich - Franz Huber - Linda Baines
• Pages: 11-14

Exploratory study of consumer issues in online peer-to-peer platform markets –

Task 3 Report

2. Understanding online P2P platforms

2.1. How do people look at and what do they expect from P2P platforms?

In most countries covered the perception prevails that exchanging goods and services

via the internet between individuals is ga ining popularity rapidly. Especially online

platforms for housing and transport are perceived as hot and trendy.

Difference between countries however exist. In Slovenia the offer of and on P2P online

platforms is perceived as quite limited. In contrast, in the UK, France and the

Netherlands users of P2P indicate that P2P is becoming their default option whenever

beneficial, after which they will compare with traditional retail options.

“In the last few years it [P2P platform usage] has definitely got way more.” (UK)

Additionally, in some countries, such as Slovenia, Poland, Denmark, Germany and the

UK, Facebook and even Instagram are also becoming ”trending” as a

facilitator for P2P transactions. The advantages of these social networks vs. online

P2P platforms are that more people are participating and that you tend to exchange

goods and services among people you are somewhat more familiar with and thus trust

more.

“No-one is on every one of these P2P platforms, but everyone is on Facebook – the

biggest community in the world.” (UK)

“I use it for getting home. I live near Karpacz, so I use Facebook or BlaBlaCar.” (PL)

In general, users of online P2P platforms first and foremost focus on the advantages

and the positives it brings them. Negative aspects, such as risk, fraud, possible rip-

offs… are mentioned spontaneously but are not emphasized.